NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A prominent LGBTQ+ resource got slashed by the White House last week, and that means the end of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s LBGTQ specialized service, which brought in more than a million calls, texts and chats since it first launched in 2022.
The Trump Administration’s move has painted a grim picture for the LGBTQ+ community nationwide, and right here in Hampton Roads. LGBT Life Center executive director, Stacie Walls says it’s frustrating.
“Chopping off prevention activities means that eventually, it’s going to turn into something more serious,” she said. “And in this case, it’s suicide. And nothing is worse than that.”
Some argue pressing option three isn’t necessary, as those seeking help can still use the main suicide and crisis line for help, but Walls broadens the scope.
“The people that answered that line were specifically trained to work with LGBTQ youth,” she said. “So it’s wonderful to be able to call the hotline and then somebody on the other end knows exactly how to respond.”
According to the Trevor Project, the number of LGBT callers tripled between 2022 and 2025. LGBTQ-plus youth are also four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers.
“Taking the money away from a resource that is allocated specifically for a population that has really high risks and really negative impact from that,” Walls said, “so in this country, every 45 seconds, an LGBTQ youth attempts suicide. That’s a big number. The fact that it’s being taken away is just a really big slap in the face to youth who needed this lifeline.”
In the meantime, the executive director says the LGBT Life Center will continue to grow its resources.
“I’m grateful we have a grant from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation to help us build out our [LGBT] youth mental health program,” she said. “And so we just started the second year of that program to be able to expand it, and so they’re helping to fund some of our counselors while we are building it up.”
The LGBTQ+ community can call the Trevor Project’s 24/7 Lifeline as another option for help. The number is 1-866-488-7386.